Betrothed

Chapter 23: Two True

Willow

Two what? What could Leyna possibly mean by what she said. "You have two?" I asked in hesitation as I looked up at Leyna who was still admiring my arm which was the colors of the Luster Royal Pack banner light blue and gold. It was unclear how any of this was happening. I still was overwhelmed with the fact that my feelings for Brayden were strong still but my feelings for Arashnic were growing by the second especially after my urges took over with our make out session when my arm was burning in pain where my mark from Brayden is. Leyna was still in shock. "Leyna, what did you mean I have two?"

Leyna looked up at me and decided to point at my mark while she talked. "Your mark is from your mate right?"

I nodded. "Yes, why?"

Leyna looked up at me and pointed to my mark again. "Willow, this is extremely rare since the last occurrence that happened over a millennium ago at least to our dated record that the historic members of our pack create each year. I know this because I review them to kill the time and well, I am also a psychic, so when I reviewed you to try and figure out what was wrong, I did see that you have a huge decision to make and only you can decide what to do. I do not think it has anything to do with you having two mates though."

Leyna watched me as my jaw dropped and I pulled my arm away from Leyna. I then looked at Ash who was still standing next to me with a hand on the gurney as if he is waiting for instructions for his hands to move somewhere closer to me.

"Leyna, how is that possible though and what gave it away?" I asked her in confusion about my whole destiny and the situation I was in being rare and all.

"Willow, the colors coincide with the Luster pack colors. Correct?" Leyna asked as she waited for my answer.

"Yes, they do exactly the same colors as the Luster Royal Pack banner." I told her with confidence.

Leyna continued to answer me. "That is exactly what sets your mate mark apart from any other normal mate mark. They usually scar never change colors within the scarring. My guess from what I have read in the historic journals is that the mate mark changes color to alert the werewolf that that is only one of their true mates. It also differentiates the mate marks so when the werewolf has a complete set of mate marks from her true mates then she can tell which pack their true mates are from. I also know that it is imperative that both true mates know that they are both equally important in the female werewolf's life." She looked at Ash and smirked. Then she returned her focus to me.

"What happened in conclusion of the last occurrence of this rare thing happening? Did they have a happy life? How did that even work?" I asked Leyna as I needed more answers.

Leyna smirked. "As far as I know, the female and both males lived happily together and made their own pack, but it only became harder when the family grew and had to expand. In the journals they do not know where exactly most the remaining family disappeared to but some of that family is said to still be around genetically in some werewolf's here with us today somewhere that is. So, to answer your question they had a happy life, but it only became difficult when they let it. The Moon Goddess knows what she is doing so do not fear this as you three will work out the details in your own time. As for your mate mark burning sessions, that will not end until after you and Ash establish your true mate bond with Arashnic marking you. Only then will your marks be stable and the burning sessions end."

Arashnic's hand suddenly touched my hand that was closest to his and the touch of his hand on mine sent a string of tingling sensations up my arm and gave me butterflies. "I will not pressure you, Willow. I just do not want to see you in pain like that again. I want you to know that I will help you search for Brayden if Romellow has him then I might have an idea where he is being held." Ash said without doubt or fear in his voice.

I could not help but smile and then a tear rolled down my cheek just thinking about Brayden and if he is even still alive. "I appreciate that, Arashnic, I would not have expected anything less." I turned to Ash and smiled as the tear continued to roll down my cheek. I leaned into Ash's side as more tears continued to fall down my face trying not to show my weakness too much as I cried into Arashnic's side.  

I then thought into the mind link really hard. "Brayden, can you hear me? I need you to know I love you and I am searching for you here soon I just have to take care of some things first, so I am able to fight if needed lately I haven't been doing so well."

I continued to cry as Ash started to rub my back I remembered my vision. "Leyna, if I were to have a vision would it be accurate to predict that that event may occur or is it more of a warning?"

Leyna looked confused. Maybe I was not the type of werewolf she would notice as the visionary type. "That depends it could go either way. You normally do not know until it either happens or you discover the meaning behind the warning." 

"I thought so. What happens to the mind link when you have two true mates? Are all three of us able to communicate with each other?" I asked Leyna as I still leaned into Ash and he was still rubbing my back in an oval shape with his hand. 

"I think you all three would be able to communicate with each other at the same time. I don't really know. Willow, if your mate dies then your mate mark stays but you would feel an immense sadness overwhelm you some werewolves grieve so hard, they end up starving themselves or doing other things because they lose their ability to care about anything else. I think Brayden is still very much alive, so do not worry too much about that. For now, focus on how you're going to save him. You cannot be vulnerable, or you could risk both Brayden and Ash if you were to get injured." Leyna stated with a stern but helpful tone.

I did not want to ever be seen as vulnerable, but I already knew I had been these burning sessions have been brutal and I was over being weak. I was at the worst vulnerable state imaginable when these burning pain sessions occur. I hate rushing things, but I already know that I have no choice but to go through with getting my mark from Ash. If I don't then who knows what the hell will happen when the next burning sensation hits. It will probably be stronger than the last one as I did notice a change in intensity. 

"Ash, the Moon Goddess already decided my fate and my rare gift of two mates, so knowing that Brayden is out there hurt and probably being held hostage because of me I need to do everything I can to save him. I cannot save him if I have another burning pain session that intensifies each time it happens. I hate being weak and vulnerable to those looking to control me. I appreciate you wanting to take it slow but for my sake and Brayden's sake I vote this happens as soon as possible." I was facing Ash the whole time I talked and well let's just say he kind of had a smirky frown because he couldn't decide on an emotion, so he chose both happy and sad. 

"Willow, I understand and agree with you. Where do you want me to mark you since you did not have a choice with where the other mark was given. That way when I shift, and instincts take over I can at least aim for the spot you want." Arashnic said.

I was not about to tell him to mark me near the other marking on my arm, so I figured why not aim for the opposite side of my body and do my shoulder area. That would guarantee that the markings are not in the same area so maybe there would be less confusion and eye opening when pack members figure out this rare situation. Perhaps along with the fact that male werewolves tend to be very protective of their mates' markings if someone points them out then they tend to get upset and sometimes a little too protective about it. Most werewolf males cannot control where they mark their mate, but some can if they are strong willed and have enough reason to control their wolf in that way.  

"Ash, if you think you can control your wolf, please aim for my shoulder opposite of my other marking from Brayden." I told Arashnic as I got up and stood on my own for a minute trying to adjust. 

"I can do that, or I will try to that is. I am sure you have heard some stories from other people's past experiences with being marked." Ash said to me smirking after saying that as he was staring right at me directly making eye contact. 

I felt the butterflies in my stomach turning into something bigger than just normal butterflies maybe birds are a better comparison to how I felt in that moment. How could I feel this way about someone I literally just met? Why would the Moon Goddess bless me with not one but two true mates? My mind pondered as I just got washed away staring into Arashnic's eyes while he stared back into mine.